The Ohio City/County Management Association (OCMA) is now accepting proposals from Ohio communities interested in hosting the 2028 OCMA Annual Conference. This signature professional development event brings together over 300 local government professionals from across the state for learning, networking, and community engagement.
Hosting the OCMA Annual Conference provides a unique opportunity for communities to showcase their organization, leadership, facilities, and local amenities while supporting the professional growth of OCMA’s members.
About the OCMA Annual Conference
The OCMA Annual Conference is a three-day educational and networking event featuring:
Concurrent training and professional development sessions
General sessions and keynote speakers
A sponsor and vendor showcase
Mobile workshops and site visits that highlight the host community
Social and networking events designed to connect local government leaders
The conference is typically held Wednesday through Friday in late winter or early spring, though final dates are flexible for 2028.
Host Community & Venue Overview
OCMA is seeking proposals from Ohio-based communities with a quality hotel or conference center capable of supporting a multi-day professional conference.
Key requirements include:
Capacity for 75+ guest rooms per night, with a preference for government per diem rates
A ballroom accommodating up to 350 attendees for meals and general sessions
At least four breakout rooms for concurrent training sessions
Large pre-function space for conference registration and 30+ sponsor/vendor tables
Onsite audio/visual support and Wi-Fi
Space for receptions and networking events
Priority will be given to venues located within OCMA member jurisdictions.
Community Engagement Opportunities
OCMA strongly encourages host communities to highlight what makes their city or county unique. Proposals are encouraged to include:
Mobile workshops or site visits that demonstrate innovative local government practices
Social or networking activities that showcase the community
Nearby venues for evening events
Volunteer support to assist with conference logistics and attendee experience
Complimentary or reduced-cost transportation for offsite activities is highly desirable.
Proposal Submission Details & Next Steps
Communities interested in hosting are encouraged to begin conversations with local hotels, conference centers, and community partners early to develop a strong, collaborative proposal. Interested communities should review the full 2028 OCMA Annual Conference Host Site RFP for detailed requirements and submission guidance.
Proposal deadline: June 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Proposals and supporting materials should be submitted electronically to: [email protected]
Board members plan to visit finalist communities in July, and finalists will be invited to the OCMA Board’s August 20 Board Meeting to answer questions.
OCMA looks forward to partnering with an Ohio community to host a memorable and impactful 2028 Annual Conference!
The OCMA Annual Awards recognize fellow local government colleagues who are exceptional in promoting excellence in local government. Nominations are made by professionals in local government toward projects and individuals that go above and beyond for their respective communities. This year, we received a record-breaking number of award nominations, a testament to the great work that local governments are doing across the State of Ohio.
The following are the award winners in each category for the 2026 OCMA Awards.
Placemaking
City of Upper Arlington – Bob Crane Community Center
The Bob Crane Community Center stands as Upper Arlington’s most significant placemaking achievement in generations, transforming a previous underutilized commercial site into a multi-generational public hub that strengthens community identity and enhances quality of life. Long envisioned by residents, the Bob Crane Community Center fulfills decades of community desire for a central gathering place that reflects Upper Arlington’s character, values, and commitment to inclusive, people focused spaces.
Built on 1.4 acres in the center of Upper Arlington’s Kingsdale redevelopment zone, the Bob Crane Community Center acts as an anchor that draws people into the district and supports local business activity. Within four months of opening (July, 2025), more than 10,000 members have joined. Foot traffic in the Kingsdale business district increased 10% from the previous year. This project is a shared community landmark that reflects Upper Arlington’s spirit and demonstrates what intentional, innovative placemaking can achieve.
Redevelopment Projects
City of Sandusky – Jackson Street Pier Redevelopment
The redevelopment of Jackson Street Pier represents one of the most visible and impactful public space transformations in the City of Sandusky’s modern history. What had been a four-acre parking lot and ferry staging area on the downtown waterfront is now a vibrant public destination that brings residents, visitors, and community partners together at the edge of Lake Erie.
Today, the Jackson Street Pier functions as a catalyst for downtown vitality, a driver of tourism, and a welcoming daily space for residents. It represents the best of municipal redevelopment: community driven design, strong management, and long-term stewardship. For its bold transformation, public value and leadership by the City Commission, former City Manager Eric Wobser, City Manager John Orzech, and Interim Public Work Director Josh Snyder, the Jackson Street Pier is an excellent example of a community redevelopment project.
Career Achievement
Keith Johnson, City of Miamisburg
Keith Johnson has served as City Manager of Miamisburg since 2009, guiding the city through transformative change and leaving a legacy of innovation, collaboration, and resilience. His career exemplifies the highest standards of public service and leadership in local government. Keith’s tenure has been marked by bold initiatives that have reshaped Miamisburg’s economic and cultural landscape. He led the redevelopment of the historic Mound site, converted a Cold War-era facility into a thriving business campus that attracts hi-tech companies and fuels regional economic growth.
Keith championed the creation of Riverfront Park, a signature public space that connects the community to the Great Miami River and serves as a focal point for recreation and events. He also oversaw improvements to Sycamore Trails Park, enhancing amenities and expanding opportunities for outdoor engagement. Keith’s career reflects vision, integrity, and impact. His leadership has transformed Miamisburg, strengthened regional partnerships, and elevated the standards of public service.
Career Development/Mentoring
Patrick Titterington, City of Troy
Patrick Titterington’s commitment to public administration spans over three decades, with 38 years of experience. Mr. Titterington’s leadership roles extend beyond his current position, as he has served as the president of OCMA, Dayton Area Manager’s Association and the Ohio Municipal League. Shortly after being hired as a Director a the City of Troy, he began a winter and summer student internship program in the City Director’s Office. He encouraged other departments to seek student interns proactively.
Throughout his career, he has mentored nearly 100 Fellows, interns, and co-op students, including 68 in Troy. Also, Mr. Titterington serves on Miami University’s Ohio Public Leaders (OPL) Fellowship advisory board. He has also spoken at classes and forums at various schools, such as Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs, Miami University, and Wright State University.
Distinguished Early Career Award
Charlotte Colley, City of Troy
Charlotte Colley, Assistant Director of Public Service & Safety for the City of Troy, exemplifies the qualities of innovation, leadership, and a deep commitment to Public Service. Mrs. Colley serves as second in command for all city operations under the Director of Public Service & Safety with responsibility for Human Resources, Information Technology, Cemetery operations, and Billing & Collections/Income Tax. Charlotte has served as a Chief Administrative Officer or Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for over 10+ years.
She is an ICMA-Credentialed Manager, past president of OCMA Executive Board, and former Co-Chair of the 2022 ICMA Annual Conference Planning Committee for the conference hosted in Columbus. She has consistently championed the development of emerging professionals, supporting ICMA student engagement and expanding opportunities for young practitioners to enter the field.
Innovation in Local Government
City of Dublin, Drones as First Responders
The Drones as First Responder (DFR) program fundamentally transforms traditional public safety operations by leveraging cutting-edge technology to improve service delivery, response efficiency, and safety for both residents and first responders. The program deploys four autonomous drones capable of reaching incidents in as little as 90 seconds while traveling at speeds up to 45 miles per hour. These drones provide lifesaving tools that provide immediate, actionable intelligence.
When a high-priority 911 call is received, a drone can be launched within seconds from a nearby rooftop and arrives on scene ahead of the responding officers. In practice, the results speak for themselves. Since implementation, the DFR program has completed 244 missions, totaling 47 hours and 50 minutes of flight time and covering more than 535 miles. Seventeen pilots have been fully trained, with the program completing as many as 11 missions in a single day and maintaining an average response time of just 108 seconds.
Citizen Participation
Colerain Township – Guardian Games
The Colerain Guardian Games is a community engagement event hosted by the Colerain Township Police Department and the Colerain Township Fire & EMS Department aimed at giving local high school students firsthand experience of what it takes to serve as first responders. High school seniors from local schools participate in physically demanding obstacle courses, including scaling walls, pushing a car, dragging a dummy, climbing a five-story fire training tower, and hauling a fully charged hose line that mirror the real fitness and strength tests required by first responders.
The event serves as both a recruiting tool and a hands-on educational experience, designed to build awareness among youth of the career and civic service opportunities with their township. Moreover, the Guardian Games creates informal channels for dialogue between young residents, their families and local government. Breaking down barriers, building trust and fostering community cohesion.
Intergovernmental Cooperation
City Cincinnati, Tenant Access to Counsel in Eviction Proceedings
In Cincinnati, the collaboration between the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, the City of Cincinnati’s City Manager’s Office, City Councilmember Meeka Owens and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati has resulted in a fully integrated eviction prevention ecosystem that shares data, resources, and best practices. In late 2023, in response to a significant increase in eviction filings, Cincinnati City Council unanimously passed the Access to Counsel Ordinance to help level the playing field in eviction court. This new chapter added to the City’s Municipal Code “Tenant Access to Counsel in Eviction Proceedings” codifies access to legal counsel to qualifying limited income tenants who are facing eviction.
From September 2024 through September 2025, same day representation attorneys have filed 890 appearances serving more than 450 households. The outcomes are staggering: 93.7% of total appearances result in a positive outcome for tenants. 88.8% of 366 cases tried to completion have been dismissed. Because of the success of the work, the City, County, and private philanthropy have invested more money to support expansion of same day representation and over a million dollars in rent assistance for both City and County tenants facing eviction.
The 2026 OCMA Annual Conference brought local government leaders from across Ohio together for three days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration at the Sharonville Convention Center from February 25–27, 2026 . This year’s event marked an exciting expansion into a new region of the state, reflecting OCMA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening professional management and supporting communities statewide.
A Focus on “Future‑Ready Leadership”
The conference theme, Future‑Ready Leadership for Stronger Communities, set the tone for a program designed to help public administrators navigate emerging challenges and opportunities. Attendees participated in a mix of:
Expert‑led sessions on leadership, innovation, and community resilience
Interactive mobile workshops focusing on redevelopment
Networking events that fostered peer learning and statewide collaboration
Panels exploring the evolving landscape of local governance
These sessions equipped leaders with practical tools to strengthen their organizations and better serve their communities.
Keynote Highlight: Building Stronger Towns
A major highlight of the conference was a keynote presentation by Chuck Marohn, founder of Strong Towns. Marohn challenged attendees to rethink how cities plan and invest, emphasizing the power of small, incremental improvements over large, top‑down initiatives. He shared actionable strategies for building community wealth, improving financial resilience, and strengthening public trust through neighborhood‑scale action .
Celebrating Excellence in Local Government
OCMA continued its tradition of honoring outstanding public service. Among this year’s recognitions was the Career Achievement Award, presented to Keith Johnson, former City Manager of Miamisburg. Johnson was celebrated for more than three decades of dedicated service, including 17 years as city manager, during which he exemplified excellence in local government leadership.
A New Chapter in a New Region
Hosting the conference in Sharonville marked a meaningful step in OCMA’s efforts to broaden its reach and engage members across Ohio. The Sharonville Convention Center provided a dynamic setting for connection and learning, with full‑day programming on Wednesday and Thursday and a half‑day closing session on Friday.
A New Chapter in a New Region
The OCMA Annual Conference marked a major milestone this year, with record‑breaking attendance that reflected the growing strength, relevance, and momentum of the association. Local government professionals from across Ohio—and beyond—came together in unprecedented numbers to learn, connect, and share ideas, making this year’s conference one of the most well‑attended in OCMA’s history. The strong turnout underscored members’ commitment to professional development and the value of convening to address shared challenges and opportunities facing local governments today.
Looking Ahead
As OCMA continues to champion professional management and support Ohio’s local government leaders, the 2026 conference stands out as a milestone—bringing fresh perspectives, new partnerships, and renewed energy to the work of building stronger communities.
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The OCMA Executive Board is currently seeking a new Board Member at-Large to begin their service on July 1, 2026. If you are a Full Member of OCMA, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding opportunity.
How to Apply
To apply, you must be a Full Member. You can confirm your membership level in your account on the OCMA website. Interested candidates should email the OCMA Secretariat at [email protected] by January 12, 2026 with the following documents:
A one-page Letter of Interest
A one-page Resume
Board Member Requirements and Responsibilities
You must be a Full Member to apply. As an OCMA Board Member, your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
Attending Board Meetings (usually 6 per year, third Thursday of the month)
Voting on motions made during board meetings
Reviewing new member applications
Answering questions from OCMA members and the public
Guiding key decision-making to support the OCMA Strategic Plan
Service on the Board can total up to 6 years, with the following progression:
Year 1: Board Member at-large
Year 2: Board Member at-large
Year 3: Senior Board Member at-large
Year 4: Vice President
Year 5: President
Year 6: Immediate Past President
We look forward to your participation and interest in contributing to the OCMA Executive Board. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
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